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- Access to Care (2)
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 12 of 12 Research Studies DisplayedBridges NC, Taber R, Foulds AL
Medications for opioid use disorder in rural primary care practices: patient and provider experiences.
This study’s purpose was to gain a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators operating at multiple levels to access or provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural Pennsylvania. The authors interviewed patients and providers who were involved in the Rural Access to Medication Assisted Treatment in Pennsylvania (RAMP) Project, which facilitated adoption of MOUD in rural primary care clinics. The study conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with MOUD patients and MOUD providers participating in RAMP. The interviews were coded by the study team. Themes from the qualitative interviews were organized in five nested levels: individual, interpersonal, health care setting, community, and public policy. Patients and providers agreed on many barriers (such as lack of providers, lack of transportation, insufficient rapport and trust in patient-provider relationship, and cost, etc.); however, their interpretation of the barrier, or indicated solution, diverged in meaningful ways. Patients described their experiences in broad terms pointing to the social determinants of health while providers focused on their professional roles, responsibilities, and operations within the primary care setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS025072.
Citation: Bridges NC, Taber R, Foulds AL .
Medications for opioid use disorder in rural primary care practices: patient and provider experiences.
J Subst Use Addict Treat 2023 Nov; 154:209133. doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209133..
Keywords: Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Primary Care
Bunting AM, Schwartz RP, Wu LT
A brief screening and assessment tool for opioid use in adults: results from a validation study of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substances Tool.
The objective of this secondary analysis was to evaluate opioid-specific validation results of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substances (TAPS) tool for screening in primary care The findings showed that TAPS opioid items could be used in primary care settings for a spectrum of unhealthy opioid use; however, self-disclosure remains an issue in primary care settings. The researchers noted that further testing in a larger population sample might be warranted, given the brevity, simplicity, and accuracy of self-administration.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Bunting AM, Schwartz RP, Wu LT .
A brief screening and assessment tool for opioid use in adults: results from a validation study of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substances Tool.
J Addict Med 2023 Jul-Aug; 17(4):471-73. doi: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001139..
Keywords: Opioids, Screening, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Primary Care
Meiselbach MK, Drake C, Saloner B
Medicaid managed care: access to primary care providers who prescribe buprenorphine.
This study examined variation in access to in-network buprenorphine-prescribing primary care providers that can treat opioid use disorder among Medicaid managed care enrollees. Approximately 32.2% of Medicaid enrollees had fewer than one in-network network buprenorphine-prescribing primary care providers per 100,000 county residents. There was on average a greater number of in-network buprenorphine-prescribing primary care providers in states with higher compared with lower overdose death rates, but most enrollees lived in areas with a shortage of these providers. The authors found that a 25 percent higher network participation rate by prescribers compared with nonprescribers could improve the probability that enrollees see a prescriber by approximately 25 percent.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Meiselbach MK, Drake C, Saloner B .
Medicaid managed care: access to primary care providers who prescribe buprenorphine.
Health Aff 2022 Jun;41(6):901-10. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01719..
Keywords: Medicaid, Primary Care, Access to Care, Medication, Care Management, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health
Gertner AK, Rotter JS, Holly ME
The role of primary care in the initiation of opioid use disorder treatment in statewide public and private insurance.
This observational study’s goal was to determine if individuals newly diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) who saw a primary care provider (PCP) before or on the date of diagnosis had higher rates of medication treatment for OUD (MOUD). Claims data from Medicaid and a large private insurer in North Carolina from January 2014 to July 2017 was used. During the period from 2014 to 2017, the prevalence of diagnosed OUD increased by 47% among Medicaid enrollees and by 76% among the privately insured. Over the same time period the number of people with an OUD who received MOUD fell among both groups, while PCP involvement in treatment increased. The percent of Medicaid enrollees receiving buprenorphine from a PCP increased from 32% in 2014 to 39% in 2017. In the 12 months before being newly diagnosed, approximately 82% with Medicaid or private insurance had a PCP visit. There was no difference in receiving an MOUD with those who had not seen a PCP. However, there was a higher probability of receiving MOUD with a PCP, than seeing an emergency provider, but lower than seeing a behavioral health specialist or other provider type.
AHRQ-funded; HS025065.
Citation: Gertner AK, Rotter JS, Holly ME .
The role of primary care in the initiation of opioid use disorder treatment in statewide public and private insurance.
J Addict Med 2022 Mar-Apr;16(2):183-91. doi: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000860..
Keywords: Primary Care, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Health Insurance
Holtrop JS, Mullen R, Curcija K
The balance between serving the community and the reality of treating opioid use disorder in rural primary care practices.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate clinician and staff perceptions related to medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, particularly buprenorphine treatment, in rural primary care practices. Staff members from rural 42 practices were interviewed. Although there was almost no provision of MAT, policies and procedures to reduce opioid prescribing were usually in place and many practices expressed interest in learning more to help their patients and local communities.
AHRQ-funded; HS025056.
Citation: Holtrop JS, Mullen R, Curcija K .
The balance between serving the community and the reality of treating opioid use disorder in rural primary care practices.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2022; 33(1):253-67. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2022.0019..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Rural Health, Medication
Zittleman L, Curcija K, Nease DE
Increasing capacity for treatment of opioid use disorder in rural primary care practices.
Evidence supports treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) with buprenorphine in primary care practices (PCPs). Barriers that slow implementation of this treatment include inadequately trained staff. This study aimed to increase the number of rural PCPs providing OUD treatment with buprenorphine. This evaluation described the impact of a practice team training on the implementation and delivery of OUD treatment with buprenorphine in PCPs of rural Colorado.
AHRQ-funded; HS025065.
Citation: Zittleman L, Curcija K, Nease DE .
Increasing capacity for treatment of opioid use disorder in rural primary care practices.
Ann Fam Med 2022 Jan-Feb;20(1):18-23. doi: 10.1370/afm.2757..
Keywords: Opioids, Rural Health, Primary Care, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Training, Implementation, Medication
Sussman AL, Crawford JN, Brakey HR
Use of a benchmark tracking assessment to support expansion of buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder in primary care.
Barriers to the expansion of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in primary care using buprenorphine are well documented. Providers require support along a continuum. A systematic tracking framework to enhance provider progress along this continuum is lacking. The investigators developed a benchmark tracking assessment (BTA) as part of data collection in a 5-year study to examine the impact of provider participation in an online intervention to support expansion of buprenorphine treatment for OUD in rural primary care.
AHRQ-funded; HS025345.
Citation: Sussman AL, Crawford JN, Brakey HR .
Use of a benchmark tracking assessment to support expansion of buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder in primary care.
J Am Board Fam Med 2021 Nov-Dec;34(6):1216-20. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.06.210111..
Keywords: Opioids, Primary Care, Medication, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health
Simon CB, Klein JW, Bradley KA
Primary care patients with opioid use disorder have a high prevalence of pain and mental health and other substance use disorders.
One potential challenge of treating OUD in primary care is comorbidity. Mental health and substance use disorders and chronic pain are common in patients with Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs) in specialty OUD treatment settings and on confidential surveys, but the prevalence of such comorbidity in primary care patients with OUD has not been confirmed. This brief report addressed that gap.
AHRQ-funded; HS023173.
Citation: Simon CB, Klein JW, Bradley KA .
Primary care patients with opioid use disorder have a high prevalence of pain and mental health and other substance use disorders.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Jun;36(6):1799-801. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-05820-3..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Primary Care
Tsui JI, Akosile MA, Lapham GT
Prevalence and medication treatment of opioid use disorder among primary care patients with hepatitis C and HIV.
Hepatitis C and HIV are associated with opioid use disorders (OUD) and injection drug use. Medications for OUD can prevent the spread of HCV and HIV. The objective of this retrospective observational cohort study was to describe the prevalence of documented OUD, as well as receipt of office-based medication treatment, among primary care patients with HCV or HIV.
AHRQ-funded; HS026369.
Citation: Tsui JI, Akosile MA, Lapham GT .
Prevalence and medication treatment of opioid use disorder among primary care patients with hepatitis C and HIV.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Apr;36(4):930-37. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06389-7..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Primary Care
Salvador JG, Bhatt SR, Jacobsohn VC
Feasibility and acceptability of an online ECHO intervention to expand access to medications for treatment of opioid use disorder, psychosocial treatments and supports.
This study examined acceptability and feasibility of an online Extensions for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model intervention developed to support rural primary care clinics to expand treatment and is part of a larger study tracking the impact of participation in this ECHO on expansion of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural primary care. Using qualitative interviews and post-session questionnaires across 27 rural clinics in New Mexico, findings suggested evidence of feasibility and acceptability of MOUD ECHO to support expansion of this treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS025345.
Citation: Salvador JG, Bhatt SR, Jacobsohn VC .
Feasibility and acceptability of an online ECHO intervention to expand access to medications for treatment of opioid use disorder, psychosocial treatments and supports.
Subst Abus 2021;42(4):610-17. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2020.1806184..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Medication, Access to Care, Rural Health, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Tong ST, Kato EU, Nix MP
AHRQ Author: Tong ST, Kato EU, Nix, MP, Bierman, AS
Help for primary care practitioners in addressing older adult alcohol and opioid use.
Unhealthy alcohol and opioid use are growing problems among older adults who are at increased risk for harms from both alcohol and opioid use. Primary care practices can play an important role in addressing this problem, but need support in implementing evidence-based practices. This article provides help for primary care practitioners in addressing older adult alcohol and opioid use.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Tong ST, Kato EU, Nix MP .
Help for primary care practitioners in addressing older adult alcohol and opioid use.
Generations Journal 2020-2021 Winter;44(4)..
Keywords: Elderly, Primary Care, Alcohol Use, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health
Kennedy-Hendricks A, Busch SH, McGinty EE
Primary care physicians' perspectives on the prescription opioid epidemic.
The authors aimed to determine primary care physicians' perceptions of the seriousness of the prescription opioid epidemic, its causes, groups responsible for addressing it, attitudes toward individuals with prescription opioid use disorder, beliefs about the effectiveness of addiction treatments, and support for various policies. They found that respondents largely attributed the causes to individual-oriented factors and certain physician-oriented factors, and that respondents believed that individuals with prescription opioid use disorder and physicians were primarily responsible for addressing the problem. The researchers also found that negative attitudes toward people with prescription opioid use disorder were prevalent, but a majority believed that treatment could be effective.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Kennedy-Hendricks A, Busch SH, McGinty EE .
Primary care physicians' perspectives on the prescription opioid epidemic.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2016 Aug 1;165:61-70. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.010.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Medication, Opioids, Primary Care, Substance Abuse